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Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2018 8:26:29 GMT -6
Study Begins: March 11, 2018
Discussion Begins: March 18, 2018
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John R
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Post by John R on Mar 16, 2018 9:37:35 GMT -6
"The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works."
It is implied in this statement that the Corinthians had experienced "apostles," who may have been apostles in name only. If this is accurate, then not much has changed in 2000 years.
"Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?"
Paul is defending himself as he prepares for another trip to Corinth. The previous experiences both (it seems) with "other apostles" has tainted the believers in Corinth by the tone of Paul's remarks here. He is backpedaling and on the defensive almost as if he is trying to undo what has been by others who have visited the Corinthians. While this is speculation on my part, the primary purpose of studying the bible is to better understand the Father and His ways and our response AND how to avoid the pitfalls of false teachers. The value in this portion of scripture is to remind us to study the word of God for ourselves and pray that we not be deceived by others who may be leading us down a dark path. Too often today, the Body of Christ is deceived because its members do not pray, do not read and understand Holy Scripture and choose to be entertained and "fed" by those who may not have their best interests at heart.
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John R
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Post by John R on Mar 16, 2018 10:03:36 GMT -6
Study Begins: March 11, 2018
Discussion Begins: March 18, 2018
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"Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced."
It appears there has been previous correspondence and reports from the field that Paul is responding to. While he began in a defensive posture, Paul now moves to what he suspects is going on, "sin in the body." In another teaching moment, for us, "there is nothing new under the sun." Unrepentant believers inside the Body stir up trouble, destroy churches and split congregations while unbelievers scoff at the Christians inability to "get along." "Why should I follow this Jesus?" they say, "if these Christians cannot agree with each other, how can He help me?" Nothing much has changed and our example to the world continues to be a poor one, as abortion, war, hunger, greed, etc continue while the Body of Christ waits for "the rapture."
If we would spend more time "loving the Lord with our heart, soul, mind and body and our neighbor as ourselves," the world would change for the better through our example and the Power of the Holy Spirit in us. As the hymn goes, "They will know we are Christians by our love." The evidence is mounting in my view that "many who say Lord, Lord" will be in for a big surprise when they stand before the Lord and he says, "depart from Me, I never knew you..." I do not want to be numbered with the goats! Help me LORD not to deceive myself! Reveal my secret sin and cleanse me. Make me your servant and not a speed bump to those who see my example. |
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John R
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Post by John R on Mar 16, 2018 10:09:47 GMT -6
Chapter 13: "This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God."
Finally, Paul is commending them. He is happy that they are being skeptical and he credits the power of the Holy Spirit working in them. Praise God that He would work in me as well.
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JB
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Post by JB on Mar 18, 2018 6:46:08 GMT -6
12:11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
Paul went on a tirade emphasizing his strengths as an apostle as compared to the “super apostles” that were trying to take leadership of the Corinthian church by defaming him, building themselves up, and teaching false doctrine. By tearing Paul down, they drew disciples to themselves. Paul felt he had no choice. He reminded the Christians at the church how he had loved them, taught them, nurtured them, and lived as an example when he was among them. He reminded them of the favor God had shown him through special visions and miracles. He reminded them of how he had been beaten down, beaten up, and thrown in prison for the sake of Christ. These self-proclaimed “super-apostles” had never experienced God’s providence and favor as he had, had never suffered for Christ as he had, and had never given themselves up for the Corinthian believers as he had. But Paul showed discomfort in this “bragging” throughout – even though he only boasted of the things that showed God’s strength and his own weakness. Now he seems overwhelmed, as if he felt he’d gone too far and needed to back down. His whole purpose in this was to prevent the false teachers from undoing the work God had already done through him in Corinth. His motivation was love for this church and for God. He was on his way to visit them for the third time and wanted to ensure his visit would be a positive one. It’s interesting that Paul nowhere talks about specific signs, wonders, and miracles he performed. The book of Acts records many, but he never mentions them – not even in this context, where he is boasting about what God had done through him. He was truly humble and realized that whatever God did through him was God’s doing and had no reflection on his own personal significance. On his own he was nothing. Jesus the man even said “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30). We can do nothing worthwhile on our own. We can do everything worthwhile when God does it through us.
14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
Paul is like a father to them and they like his children. When he visited, he didn't want their money. He wanted them. He’d willingly waste away for their sakes if they were built up by it. Those of us who are parents certainly understand.
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
Paul now wants to be sure they understand why he has been boasting of the things God has done through him for their sakes. He hasn’t been trying to build himself up, he has been trying to build them up. He foresees some challenging circumstances when he visits soon, and he wants them to know agead of time he deep is his love for them.
13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
Knowing that he will be accused and defamed by the false teachers, he gives them the following preparation for his visit: - Don’t believe any accusation unless it is corroborated by 2 or 3 witnesses
- Be prepared for a holy fight. He will not allow these believers to be won over by these false apostles, and he will spare none of them for the sake of Christ
- The only strength he will exert will be the strength of God working in him
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JB
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Post by JB on Mar 18, 2018 15:28:51 GMT -6
Nothing much has changed and our example to the world continues to be a poor one, as abortion, war, hunger, greed, etc continue while the Body of Christ waits for "the rapture." If we would spend more time "loving the Lord with our heart, soul, mind and body and our neighbor as ourselves," the world would change for the better through our example and the Power of the Holy Spirit in us. John, you are right. Without getting side tracked on the idea of the "rapture" - whether it will happen, when it will happen, what it is, etc.... The early Christians lived lives waiting for, and looking forward with desperation for, the return of Christ. They were living for the bell like High School students at 3:49pm on the last day of class before summer break. But with one difference... they knew that this world was not ready for His return. There was a lot of filth, and a lot of clean-up to do. So it was more like scrambling to clean up the house when an important guest is coming for a last-minute visit. I hope to offer some scriptures to support these comments, but right now I'm unable to. Instead, today, Christians look for loopholes and near-limits. How much of the world can I incorporate into my life and still call myself a believer? How much can I get away with? Others are looking forward to the end, but they aren't interested in preparing the world for Christ's return. They just sit around waitong for it to come. |
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John R
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Post by John R on Mar 19, 2018 10:20:39 GMT -6
Good point JB on the "how much I can get away with."
BTW and for the record, as I continue to study the scripture and pray, I do not believe there will be a "pre-tribulation rapture of the Church." I believe the Book of Revelation is written for us so that if we are alive when it comes we can respond accordingly.
Blessings! John |
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JB
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Post by JB on Mar 19, 2018 20:50:30 GMT -6
Here's a verse list I put together showing the desperation and anticipation with which the early church was living for the bell, waiting and watching for Christ's return. How does the western world 21st Century church compare?
Romans 8:19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:23
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
…you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord …will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Titus 2:12-13
[God’s grace] teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 9:28
…[Christ] will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
1 Peter 1:13
… prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2 Peter 3:12-14
…as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. …in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Jude 21
Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Mar 25, 2018 18:01:30 GMT -6
The sad thing about this statement is those very believers who are pushing the limit, often think they are walking with Christ. They claim not to see anything wrong with what they are doing.
In Matthew 25:12-13 it states, “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”
I want to be known by Christ, to have my name confessed to the Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32). This is something we should be praying for the church to live for.
The other Eric.
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